Making the Most of 'Contact Us' to Gather Leads

Why listing your contact information on your website just isn't enough.

Every business website should have a "Contact Us" page. It's a must-do. It legitimizes your business by offering a real person to contact, and helps you gather leads. But are you making the most of your contact page?

First, study your website analytics to find out how people use your contact page. If you don't already have a web analytics solution--which helps you analyze your site traffic, including specific details of your visitors and how they navigate your site--sign up for the popular and free Google Analytics.

Is this the only page people send queries from? That means you only have one contact form. Instead, why not have one on every page?

People are used to receiving information nearly instantaneously online. Attention spans online are very short and people will use only the most easily accessible information.

If your contact form is hard to locate and visitors have to go through many pages to reach it, few will use it. But having the form on every page or including a link that goes to a page with the form, it eliminates the obstacle of having to find it, enabling people to easily submit queries.

One great thing about this technique is that it reduces the visitor's urge to close your website. If the contact form is right there, viewers are more likely to take action.

Now before you quickly move on and put a contact form or contact page link on every page of your site, here's another technique for making your contact form more effective. Anyone can put a contact form on every page, but it's the way you word your "call to action" form that makes the difference. Your "call to action" form must be worded in a way that clearly inspires visitors to take action and instructs them how.

Every website has a unique goal, whether it's to contact your company, download a particular product, purchase a product, set an appointment, or sign up for your newsletter. Your call to action depends on the nature of your website goal. You need to craft your call to action to not just achieve your goal, but to relate that goal to your target traffic.

Here's an example of a good call-to-action statement that relates to its targeted audience, describes clearly how to contact the business, and also offers a bonus incentive for doing so:

"To contact us, simply enter your first name, e-mail address, and comments below and we'll send you a free copy of our e-book The Seven Ways to Double Your Income, valued at $29.95. Contact us now."

Wording is crucial whenever you're writing a call-to-action statement. Words are powerful and must be carefully crafted to get your message across quickly and effectively. Also, the call-to-action font size must be large so it can be easily seen amid your website text.

Here are few ideas to get you started crafting a good call to action:

• Include verbs or "doing" words.
• Offer an incentive for people to contact you, such as a free cup of coffee, coupon or discount, free initial consultation or e-book.
• Remove the risk factor for people by including words like "guaranteed" or "no obligation" so they don't feel pressured to sign anything or think that they'll lose money. Remember, no one likes to be pressured into doing things.
• Instruct people exactly how to contact you. You'd be surprised how many people struggle to find your contact form or have trouble understanding how to complete it. Remember, it may be easy for you, but not for other people.
• Don't require people to give up a lot of information. Many internet users want to remain anonymous and fear the security risks of sending private information online. If you ask people for too much information, they'll get scared or irritated and won't want to fill out your contact form.
• Make the form easily accessible. Is it buried under layers and layers of pictures or text so it's hard to see? Make the form stand out.
• Keep it simple.

Finally, direct visitors to an automatic thank-you page after they fill out the form. This builds trust and shows them that you care about them. It also ensures that the visit doesn't immediately end after the form is complete.

Khoa Bui, a corporate trainer and online brand consultant, is the founder of Khoa Bui International, an Internet-marketing firm based in Perth, Australia, and author of How to Increase Your Website Traffic from Entrepreneur Press.

Making the Most of 'Contact Us' to Gather Leads

Humor in the Workplace

By Shelley Holmes 

Leaders today face many challenges in striving to meet company goals and keep employees  happy. Encouraging teamwork and fostering an empowered work environment are key factors in  creating a high performance workplace. Another, often under-utilized tool to creating high  performance workplaces is humor. 

There are several benefits to keeping things light at the office: 

Improve Morale 
Injecting a little fun into the workday helps improve morale. One of my clients who leads a call  centre occasionally sets up game days where everyone dresses up in a theme and the teams  compete against each other to get the most sales. 

The laughter and joy in their voices bubble over into the phones and their customers pick up on  the high morale rolling through the team. 

Achieve Goals and Encourage Teamwork  
Because humor in the workplace has the potential to enhance productivity, it often helps  organizations complete goals and meet deadlines. Humor is especially helpful when leaders use  it to get a team project through the necessary stages toward completion. 

Why is humor so important during a project? Most projects come across roadblocks and  problems along the way that can derail progress and cause delays. Leaders who use humor to  diffuse a stressful situation or face problems with a positive outlook are more likely to move past  issues that crop up quickly and efficiently. 

The effective use of humor also allows team members to use creative problem solving to resolve  dilemmas because they feel safe to "think outside the box." 

The appropriate use of humor develops a sense of trust between team leaders and members that  promotes originality and imagination. However, it's important to realize that the use of humor  should not detract from the project at hand. Too much humor can have a negative effect on  employees if it is overused, and harm the project rather than help it. 

Temper humor with professionalism and stay away from sarcasm and ridicule, which have  nothing to do with lighthearted, work-appropriate humor.

Relieve Stress 
Humor is a low-cost way to lessen workplace stress and boost productivity at the same time.  Humor tends to relax people and create an environment more conducive to getting things done. 

Humor is also effective at reducing conflict between individuals and averting potential problems  before they arise or become too big. Scientists have found that laughter releases specific  chemicals in the body that increase energy and cultivate a positive attitude. When employees are  happy and stress-free, the organization's goals are easier to achieve. 

Although humor doesn't necessarily come naturally to everyone, it is possible to improve your  leadership style by allowing humor to become a part of your work personality and how you deal  with employees. 

Allow moments requiring humor to spring up naturally - don't force humor where it doesn't  belong, as people will sense the insincerity. Simply be more open to possibilities that may  benefit from a sprinkling of humor, and don't shy away from its application when a situation  presents itself. Give humor a try and help your team members to incorporate a sense of joy into  their daily routine. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Holmes

Humor in the Workplace

Use Your Vehicle as a Promotional Tool

If you spend a lot of time on the road and you’re not using your car as a promotional tool, you might be missing a great opportunity to gain new clients even as you suffer through traffic jams. Car magnetic signs allow you to promote your business while you’re on the go; they’ve proven to be invaluable for businesses like dog walkers, landscapers, florists and many more.

The same decisions necessary for more traditional signs need to be made for those that will be affixed to your car, including size, colors and fonts, messages and images, and location. Studies show that signs on the rear of a vehicle get more views than those on the sides, but many people choose to purchase three magnetic signs to cover all bases. 

Your signs should be weatherproof and UV-resistant, for obvious reasons, and we recommend rounded corners to eliminate the issue of peel up. If you want your signs to be visible in the dark, you may want to consider using reflective material so other cars’ headlights can light up your message when you’re on the road at night. 

Are you ready to drive and promote at the same time?

Use Your Vehicle as a Promotional Tool

Cloud Computing for Small Businesses: Tips & Tricks

Cloud computing is a whole new computing technology and philosophy that has changed the way small businesses  are conducted online. What was once seen as a dream has been integrated into mainstream IT resource. A research  conducted by Portio Research in 2010 found that 56% small business segments are still unfamiliar with concept. 

If you are one of them, here are some tips as to why you should consider cloud computing for your small business. 
 
Better Business Productivity
With cloud computing at your disposal, you can run your business ‘on the go.’ Your business employees can access  emails and documents from anywhere on the planet. It gives you and your staff flexibility to set up working station  anywhere. Moreover, you can employ people globally without letting it affect business productivity. 

In fact, with several great minds working on a small business project from the remotest corner of the world, you get  to enhance small business operation. 

Improved Security
As compared to traditional IT resources, cloud computing is more secure for data storage and management. Cloud  service providers employ leading security experts and invest considerable amount of money to develop security  technology to protect small business establishments. 

When you use cloud computing, you reduce dependence on storing confidential data on laptops or USB devices  because every piece of information is saved on the private cloud and/or public cloud, or in a hybrid cloud. 

Better Cultural Adjustment and Collaboration
Cloud computing is user-centered technology which has made business and professional workig environment easily  accessible. These days’ small businesses hire employees from different countries and seeing the current pattern of  working, a large section of employees recruited by small businesses work from home. 

The only connecting tool between employer and employee are cloud applications like Google Apps or Skype. Even  with the geographical barrier, there is a more collaborative way of working which has undoubtedly improved  knowledge sharing, creativity and communication channels. 

24 Hours Business Information Availability
In contrast to traditional IT models, cloud computing improves business resiliency by making information available  24-7. The cloud service providers offer 24 hours support and 99.9% uptime guarantee. Rate of redundancy is  reduced and data centers ensure that your business information is available all the time. 

In other words, there is less downtime and even if some problem arise; it is sorted out in a matter of minutes.  According to estimates by IDC, small businesses with cloud computing enjoy 97% greater reliability. Moreover, if  you are dissatisfied with cloud service providers, you have the flexibility to change service providers anytime you  want.

Increased Cost Savings
In earlier days, starting a business on a small scale involved setting aside at least $5000 plus for IT infrastructure.  Return to 2011, and your cost savings will be higher than you can anticipate. It helps business to save on IT software  and hardware expenditure by almost 54%; the saved amount can be put to use for other business infrastructure  development. 

Cloud computing is an essential aspect of small business establishment in terms of cost and efficiency. Almost every  business today runs on the cloud model because it has made information sharing possible on a wider level. 

Source:  A  BusinessPundit.com is an online collection of blogs and articles featuring business and  technology insight from authors around the globe. These tips were from the January 26, 2011 feature  Cloud Computing for Small Businesses: Tips & Tricks.

Cloud Computing for Small Businesses: Tips & Tricks

Outdoor Signs Help to Grow Your Business

By Jim Braun 

Custom outdoor signs are important marketing tools for growing your business. An effective sign  will not only alert potential customers about your business, it will generate interest in your  products and services. Quality outdoor signage is essential to generating traffic and boosting  sales. 

Public awareness and advertising are essential to the success of your business. In order to make  money, you need to entice customers to come inside and spend money. There are a variety of  methods you can use to inform the public about your service or products and let them know  where you are located. One of the most cost-effective ways to reach hundreds of potential  customers each day is through the use of outdoor signage. 

Outdoor signage is one of the most important investments a business owner can make in  marketing and advertising the company. Many times, this may be the first interaction your  potential customers have with your business. Keep in mind the following characteristics as you  design and plan an effective outdoor sign for your business. 

Clear Message:
The message on your sign needs to be concise enough that people passing by in cars or by foot  can read it. Keep your words and phrases short and the meaning clear. Use your sign to direct or  inform customers. Ideally, your message should spark the interest of your target audience and  entice them to stop in. 

Use Images:
Images can be used to easily communicate what services or products your business offers. For  example, a toy store may have an image of a stuffed animal or toy train to inform people passing  by that they can buy toys at that store. 

Make it Simple:
Do not crowd your sign with numerous images and lengthy phrases. Use just enough text and  images to effectively communicate your message. Keep in mind that it needs to be understood  quickly as people do not generally stop to look at signs. 

Entice Shoppers:
Your sign is like a silent salesperson luring potential buyers into your business. It can be used to  highlight sales and promotions that generate interest and draw crowds.

Capture Attention:
Choose contrasting colors that will stand out and be readily seen by people passing by. A sign  will do you no good if it is not readable. Lighting can be used to illuminate the sign for better  visibility. 

Quality Materials:
Making sure that your custom sign looks good year after year is essential. Using high-quality  materials that will not fade or disintegrate over time is crucial to the life of your investment. Be  sure to choose materials that are easily maintained, able to withstand high winds, and radical  temperatures. 

If you have had the same sign for some years, consider updating it. A brand new sign with  modern images and a concise message aimed at your target market can attract new customers  and generate a renewed interest in your business. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6209177
Attracting new customers to your business is easy with a well-designed sign. Let the  professional design team at SIGNARAMA, design a custom-made sign for your business. Give  us a call today for more information.

Outdoor Signs Help to Grow Your Business

INSPIRATION VERSUS MOTIVATION--WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT

by Rick Melero

My life is thriving in balance with purpose. Is yours? Do you find yourself fighting to stay  motivated? Are you putting things off . . . wasting time . . . lost without a purpose? If you  said yes to any of these, there is still hope. But first, you must understand the difference  between motivation and inspiration.  

How would you like to be that person that is always motivated . . . always getting things  done . . . always enjoying life . . . always fulfilled? If so, here are some time-tested  principles that, if you apply them, will take you to that next level.  

Motivation vs. Inspiration
Many people believe that motivation is the "engine" that drives  you to success. Most people seeking motivation attend seminars to hear others as they  share success stories and strategies. These events cause us to feel good and challenge us to  get moving. However, when you face the real world, it often seems as if motivation just  burns out on the extra mile. Have you ever felt that way too?  

That is because "motivation," as Napoleon Hill says "is like fuel to a vehicle." So what  exactly is the "engine" that drives you to success? If motivation is just an external portion  that helps build momentum, where does the power lie?  

Now inspiration, on the other hand, is internal and comes from realizing your purpose. The  problem with most people is that their purpose is unclear and much smaller than was  intended. Inspiration is truly the motor itself.  

The reason many people lose motivation and quit before ever reaching the next level is  because their purpose is smaller than themselves. However, what would happen if your  purpose were bigger than you? I'm glad you asked . . .  

Imagine you want to build a home. Just the thought of all the work involved makes you lose  your motivation, but as you begin to think, you realize that in this "home" you will live with  your spouse, raise your children, and have your grandchildren visit. You are now inspired  and compelled to fulfill the vision of building your "home" no matter what the cost. This is  your inspiration. Don't you deserve a life of inspiration?  

Define Your Purpose
"Why?" is the first question you must ask yourself on both a  personal and business level. If your "home" wanted to discover why it was built, who would  it ask: the neighbor, the mailman, or its builder? I think you get the picture. So visualize  your purpose by writing it down. Once your "why" is bigger than your "how," you will get  inspired and the "hows" will automatically begin aligning themselves.  

Break Through
You can't fight what you don't know exists. Answer this question: "What is  holding me back from fulfilling my purpose?" The most popular answer is fear. Whatever  your answer is, realize that you must conquer your obstacles or they will conquer you. If,  while building your "home," you find there are problems with the foundation, you must do  what it takes to strengthen what holds it all together. When you get weary, don't worry--it's  normal. Remember that the foundation is the reason "why" you are paying the price. 

Assemble Your Team As you press toward the next level you will find that you can't do it  on your own. Take the time to pick the right people who will empower you to keep moving  forward in your journey. For example, a few things you might need to build your "home" are  a developer, an architect, and a construction crew. What kind of team do you need to build  your vision? How about a team that balances out all your weaknesses? That way, when you  run across problems that seem impossible, you can seek answers from those who have  them.  

Grow in Balance
True success can be measured by how balanced your life is. Balance can  be like the fence that protects your "home." It is vital to grow in every area of your life to  experience the type of fulfillment that comes to those who grow in discipline. Decide to live  balanced today and reap the benefits.  

Enjoy the Journey
When you are taking action, every day takes you one step closer to  fulfilling your purpose. Just like you would get excited about your "home" taking shape with  each new day, so too should you enjoy traveling your path to success. So get excited! Every  day you are one step closer to fulfilling your vision.  

Remember . . . Even though your "home" that took so much work is very valuable, nothing  compares to the lives that will be shaped by and in it. So empower others to do the same by  passing on these tools that enabled you to build your own.  

Source: http://www.ideamarketers.com

INSPIRATION VERSUS MOTIVATION--WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT